Mrs. Delgado   

Reminders:

• Early Dissmissal on Friday, 1/9.  Keep in mind that students must bring a written note signed by a parent in order to go home with a friend.

• Parents interested in being homeroom parents or participating in any events such as chaperones for field trips MUST have been fingerprinted & taken the Virtus Training.  If you are interested, please call the office for information on how to get these requirements fulfilled.

• Students should receive all books by September 19, 2008, except for the following books: 7th Grade Physical Science Workbook, 8th Grade Life Science Workbook.  All student will be expected to have the books by that date.  The office will no longer provide copies after Sept. 19th.  Any parents who still have any issues after that date, must provide me with an E-campus print-out of their order that I will forward to the office for resolution.

Science Text/Workbook List Middle School

6^th Grade: Earth Science Text Book & Workbook (Red)

7^th Grade: Physical Science Text Book & Workbook (Blue)

8^th Grade: Life Science Text Book & Workbook (Green)

"Science is an imaginative adventure of the mind seeking truth in a world of mystery!"

Sir Cyril Herman Hinshelwood (1897-1967) English chemist. Nobel prize 1956.

Class information on this web page will be updated on a weekly basis as a courtesy (please keep in mind that assignments may change depending on classroom progress). However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to write down all homework and classroom information Students are required to complete any unfinished classwork from class at home.

·         Below is the due date schedule for each step of the process, which was sent home the week of 10/6/08.  They are posted in every middle school classroom, on this webpage and the science bulletin board.  Any late entry will receive a grade of a zero.

1.  Project topics will be approved on a first come first serve basis.  No two students may do the same project.  Therefore, I advise that you turn this portion in as early as possible.  Students should turn in a list of 4 Science Fair topics in order from number 1 (the one you would like to do most) to number 4.

2. A minimum of 5 sources is required for the science fair research paper.  For 7th and 8th graders, a maximum of 3 sources may come from the internet.  The other 2 sources may be obtained from: books, magazines, newspaper articles, or interviews from knowledgeable professionals (i.e. If you are doing a project on a specific plant, you may interview a plant nursery worker).  Mrs. Jewett will be working with the students on writing their papers.  The paper will count as an English grade (for grammar & format) and a Science grade (for content).  Parents/guardians are encouraged and asked to please read the students papers and sign them before they are turned in.

3. The hypothesis is an educated guess about what you will believe the result of your experiment will be.  It is "educated" because of the research you have done for your essay/research paper.  It is a one sentence long "if" and "then" statement.  Examples:

• If organic fertilizer is added to roses, then they will grow taller than those given chemical fertilizer.
• If proper insulation is used, then ice will take longer to melt.
• If the surface texture is rough, then the skateboard will roll slower.

4. The procedure for your experiment is like a recipe.  Be precise and write each new direction on a new line.  Make sure that you use metric measurements.  Example:

•     Fill 12 pots with 0.5 kg of soil each.
•     In each pot, plant 3 petunia seeds 3 cm deep.
•     Water each pot with 100 mL of water each Monday.
•     Give 4 pots (labeled "A") 10 g of organic fertilizer each week.
•     Give 4 pots (labeled "B") 10 g of chemical fertilizer each week.
•     Give 4 pots (labeled "C") no fertilizer (the control).

5. Materials List: Make a complete list of all the items you will need to conduct your experiment.

6. Perform your experiment & record all of your results.  Remember that your experiment must be performed at least 3 times to make sure your results are valid.  Organize the data you gathered into a chart, graph, or table.  Write at least 1 paragraph for your conclusion.  Include: What did you find out and how did it compare with what you thought would happen? Was your hypothesis supported?

                                                                                                                                        Due Dates 

                                                                                                                        A Day             B Day

Topic Approval for a QUIZ GRADE                                                               10/22           10/23

Research Paper for a TEST GRADE                                                               12/3             12/4_

Hypothesis for a QUIZ GRADE                                                                      12/10           12/11

Procedure & Materials List for a TEST GRADE                                            12/17           12/18

Data in table/graph/chart form & Conclusion for a TEST GRADE                1/28             1/29_

Abstract for a TEST GRADE                                                                          2/11             2/12_

Completed Project due in class for a TEST GRADE                                      2/19             2/20_

science fair Resource websites   

• http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/

• http://www.scifair.org/     

•  citationmachine.net                                                                          

Website for help in making a graph

• http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx   

HOMEWORK 1/5/09 - 1/9/09

UPCOMING Tests

Extra Credit

There will be more assignments posted as the trimester progresses

6th Grade:

7th Grade:

There is a ditto available for 10 points after on chemical formulas.  If you are interested, please see me for a copy.  You will get a point for every question answered correctly.

8th Grade:

Complete the student virtual lab for Chapter 7 on the below site. Print it & turn it in to me for a possible 5 points to your lowest test grade. You must follow the procedure, complete the lab questions & table/graph.

• http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007877800x/student_view0/unit2/chapter7/virtual_lab.html

Science Lab Experiments

Students review lab safety procedures before experiments are performed and use safety equipment.  It is of the utmost importance to keep noise level at a minimum during lab, in order to receive and understand directions.  Any student who is disruptive during lab experiments, will be excused from class and receive a grade of a zero for the day.  They will be given a punishment assignment to complete in another class or within the school office.  Please remember that excessive zero's may contribute to a failing grade at the end of the grading period.

You may contact me by:                                                                                               

1. Email at sciencems@stagathaonline.org (please include your child's name & homeroom in the subject heading).

2. send a note with your child to me.

3. Leave me a message on the school voicemail.